Connecting-rod



(No Model.)

G. S. HEATH. CONNECTING ROD,

No. 445,402. Patented Ja11.2'7,1891.

Nrrnn STATES ATFNT FFlCE.

CONNECTING-ROD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $15,402, dated January 27, 1891.

Application filed June 11, 1890. Serial No. 355,004. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. HEATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springiield, in the county of llampden and State of lllassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Connecting-Rods, of which the following is a specification.

This invention particularly relates to improvements in connecting-rods, although, as will appear from the description hereinafter given, the same is applicable to other meehanical elements than connecting-rods.

The object of the invention is to provide simple structural features in the connecting rod or element, whereby its attachment to other parts may be readily made, and also whereby the said rod or part may be readily increased or diminished as to its length.

The invention consists in a connecting-rod or part constructed substantially as will be hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is an illustra ion in elevation of the application of the improved connectingrod between two reciprocating parts. The mechanism shown in this view may constitute the driving device for the wellknown drier-chain in an envelope machine. Its adaptability for embodiment in a countin g mechanism for envelope-machines will also be recognized by persons familiar with envelopemaehines and accessories. Fig. 2 is a plan view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the improved connecting-rod. Fig. 4 is an illustration of an implement employed in effecting an adjustment of the rod. Fig. 5 is an illustration of a minor feature of construction to be hereinafter mentioned.

The connecting rod or element a is formed of annealed or otherwise suitably-prepared metal, and is intermediatelyprovided with a frame or ring=formed part b, integrally formed with the end portions of the element a. This intermediate loop-formed part is capable of being distended in either direction on the application of a proper degree of force. For instance, the longitudinal diameter of the ring or loop may be lessened by applying pressure in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, whereby the separation between the extremi Fig. 1.

tics of the rod is decreased more or less, according to the extent of oblation of the ring; and, on the other hand,the distance between the extremities of the ring maybe increased by applying pressure to the sides of the ring and in the line of its transverse diameter, whereby such diameter is shortened, its lo.'1 gitudinal diameter being correspondingly lengthened. At its one extremity the rod a is shown as of considerable width in comparison with its thickness, which is quite slight, and its terminal portion is bent at about a right angle to the length of the rod, forming a narrow ledge or platform (Z. The end portion of the rod, at a considerable distance from the extremity d, has a portion g at the side, which is partially separated by the slit f from the extremity of the rod proper, said slit extending toward but not to said ledge d. Said portion g is turned over near the end of said slit, as particularly shown in Fig. 3, the terminal of the overhanging part being extended into proximity to said ledge d. The top of ledge d, the side i of the rod extremity, and the top and inner side 7c of said turned-over portion 9 form in effect an eye at the end of the part a, entrance to which for engagement of a part to be connected thereto being had through the opening at between the end of the overhanging portion g and the top of the ledge. Said entrance-opening m may be closed by properly changing the position of the part g, which, is plain, may be readily done with pinchers or other suitable implement.

In Fig. 1 is shown one application of the connecting-rod a in relation to a lever n, which is adapted to have a reciprocating motion. The lever is provided with a slot or aperture 25, the portion (1 of the lever forming one border of the said aperture being entered within the eye formed, as described, on the end of rod 0:. The upper and lower edges of said slots are inclined or curved, as at 10 and 12, having their greatest proximity at the middle of the opening, and form rocking bearings for the ledge d, which is laterally extended through said openin This curving or in clination of the aperture borders is advan tageous in a situation such as is shownv in In said Fig. 1, and also in Fig. 3, the said rod (1 is represented as having at its head ICC u laterally-extended bosses or trunnions v e, which may be swaged to form pivot-studs at the head of the rod, either before or after the connecting-rod, otherwise of the general form shown, is punched out of the thin metal from which it is formed. In said Fig. 1 the pivotstuds e are engaged with perforations in the opposing members of a yoke 20, which carries a pallet w, applied to actuate a ratchetwheel. The upper end of the connecting-rod, in lieu of being provided with the trunnions or studs 1), may, as shown in Fig. 7, be formed with a perforation y; or, furthermore, the connecting-rod when intermediately comprising the ring I), for the purpose described, may be adapted, in any well known or approved manner, for engagement with the other mechanical parts in connection with which the connecting-rod is employed.

It may be herein stated that a situationin which the hereinabove-described connectingrod a may be most advantageously employed is between the operating or key lever of a typewriting machine and the type-bar thereof.

In addition to the advantages of economy in construction and readiness of application for use of the connecting-rod it is manifest that it is capable of ready adjustment as to its length after its connection with other parts has been made.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination, an actuating-lever, a movable part to be operated by said lever, and a connecting-rod byits terminals uniting said actuating-lever, and said movable part having its intermediate portion formed of a ring of ductile material capable of being distended longitudinally and transversely, whereby the longitudinal extent of said connecting-rod may be increased or diminished to accord with wear and adjustment of the said lever or part actuated thereby and without disconnecting said rod from said parts, substantially as described.

2. A connecting-rod having atits extremity the ledge 01 and provided with the overhanging portion g, partially separated by a slit from the extremity of the rod proper and having its terminal extended into contact or proximity with said ledge, substantially as described.

3. The combinatiomwith alever having an aperture the opposite borders of which are curved or inclined,as described, of a connecting-rod having at its extremity the ledge d, entered through said aperture and having a rocking bearing in said borders thereof, and provided with the overhanging part g, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The connecting-rod intermediately provided with the ring Z), integrally formed with said rod, and one of the terminals of said rod being provided with the lateral extension or ledge cl and the overhanging portion g, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The connecting-rod intermediately provided with the ring I), integrally form ed therewith, and one of the terminals of said rod being provided with the lateral extension or ledge cl and the overhanging portion g and the other of said terminals having the pivotstuds Q) o, integrally formed with said rod, substantially as and for the purpose described.

GEORGE ,S. HEATH.

Witnesses:

H. A. GHAPIN, WM. S. BELLoWs. 

